South Sydney Rabbitohs and Parramatta Eels look to bounce back from last-start defeats when they open NRL Round 12 action on Friday night at ANZ Stadium.

Usually most sides are decimated by Origin selections around this time of season, but incredibly the Rabbitohs and Eels didn’t have a single player named in the interstate clash, meaning there’s no excuses for either side as they aim to make a push towards the top eight.

However, while Parramatta haven’t been hit by Origin, they are missing two of their most influential players in Corey Norman and Michael Jennings through injury. Mitchell Moses will hopefully be better for the run after a full week’s training with his new Eels teammates this week, and he will be desperate for an improved performance after a dismal showing against Souths a fortnight ago – his last match for the Tigers.

After a decent start to the season and a mini-resurgence, the Eels have been very poor over the last fortnight, copping a 40-point hiding from the Roosters and then falling to the Raiders last week in a game that was there to be won.

Dropping to 10th on the ladder, Brad Arthur’s side can’t afford any more slip-ups if they want to maintain pace with the top eight.

Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs have been delivering better performances in recent weeks after barely making an impact through the first 10 rounds of the competition.

Souths were clinical in dispatching the Tigers a fortnight ago, while they pushed Melbourne all the way in a 14-6 defeat in Perth last Sunday night.

With experience in the key positions and some new-found intensity and competitiveness in the forwards, Souths certainly appear to be in a better place than Parramatta at the moment.

Combined with their excellent record against the Eels, I think the Bunnies start clear favourites on Friday night. Souths are going forward while Parramatta are heading backwards without their two best players. This could be a comfortable win for the Rabbitohs.